Salt Lake City – AlphaGraphics, Inc., whose nearly 300 owner-operated, locally-based business centers worldwide help their clients plan, produce and manage visual communications, will hold its annual conference in Tucson, AZ, from July 7 – 10.

The conference theme, "The New Now," is a reflection of the company's focus on evolving, improving, and innovating to meet and anticipate the needs of today's small-and medium-sized businesses. As the company celebrates its 40th anniversary in the city where it was founded, franchise owners will learn about the latest products and processes they can offer to their clients as part of a full-service marketing communications solution.

"Our franchisees are small business owners in an industry that is constantly evolving. It has never been more necessary than it is today to be ahead of the game, by evaluating the marketplace and aggressively targeting new business," explains Kevin Cushing, Chief Executive Officer, AlphaGraphics, Inc. "We want to arm our franchisees with the tools and knowledge they need today to forge a vital marketing communications connection with their clients."

Attendees will choose from a variety of workshops, sessions, and keynote addresses designed to teach them how to leverage the latest marketing tactics in their own businesses and in their clients' businesses as well. Topics include:

- Social Media Marketing Campaigns: Attendees will improve their understanding of Twitter, Facebook and other online platforms in order to engage existing clients and win new ones through interactive marketing campaigns.

- QR Codes and Augmented Reality: The growing importance of SmartPhones in marketing makes sessions on QR (Quick Response) Codes and Augmented Reality a must in the new interactive world of business. QR reader applications for SmartPhones allow users to point their phone at a special code on an ad, a poster, a package, etc., to launch their web browser and "augment" their knowledge about that event, item, or product.

- Personalized URLs: In addition to providing a customized Web experience for clients with content and imagery specific to each individual, Personalized URLs make it easier to segment communications and track the results of e-mail and direct mail campaigns. Attendees will learn how to create a Personalized URL – for their own and their clients' businesses – by appending a client's name before or after the base domain name of the business website and assigning specific marketing values to each client based on their individual URL.

"We know we must constantly be forward-focused in our businesses, and a vital element of that focus is to embrace the technologies and innovations that will keep us at the forefront," explains Cushing. "Our conference agenda is packed with new ideas and tailored approaches that our owners can apply to grow their businesses today."